Iniabasi (Ini) Nkanga Mitchell, Sr. Quality Improvement Consultant; Board Chair (she/her)
Iniabasi has a passion for serving the underserved. Inspired by her experiences volunteering as a youth, she developed a desire for improving the experiences of those often overlooked. This ambition led her to procure a B.S. in Industrial Engineering as a means of understanding and optimizing complex systems. With over a decade working in the healthcare industry, Iniabasi has developed a deep expertise in process improvement and change management and has a proven track record of leading teams and organizations through change as well as coaching and partnering closely with executive leadership to develop operational strategy. She has served as a quality consultant for multiple health care systems across the Twin Cities, with extensive experience improving processes to benefit those in a mental health crisis. Through her work, she has developed a strong sense of devotion to the Twin Cities communities and is eager to support initiatives that serve, advance, and edify the populations that experience inequities within them.
Essence Jones, Prevention and Management of Disruptive Training Specialist; Founder of Protect Your Crown; Board Secretary (she/her)
Essence Jones is the Secretary of Led by TRUTH. She studied at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a major of Communication and a minor in journalism. As a freelance videographer, she worked with TPT Channel 2 Twin Cities, Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN), and Telemundo. She has 18+ years in federal service and currently holds the position of the Training Specialist for the Minneapolis VA Medical Center for the Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior where she specializes in educating staff on workplace violence prevention. She also holds a BA in Psychology from Concordia University. Born and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota, a Wife and Mother, Essence is very dedicated to her community. In 2016, Essence began an organization entitled "Protect Your Crown: An Insight into Mental Health" which is dedicated to promoting positive mental health and ending the stigma of mental illness/ disorder, especially in communities of color. They specialize in putting together discussions, forums, wellness fairs, as well as workshops about topics that focus on positive mental wellbeing and how to support anyone living with mental illness/disorder. After dealing with depression and anxiety most of her life and losing two family members to suicide, she felt in her heart that the real conversation about mental health needed to be had and the people needed to get educated and end the stigma of mental illness/disorder in communities of color.
Laura Randgaard, RN; Director of Nursing Informatics; Owner of Consulting LLC; Board Treasurer (she/her)
As a nurse, thought leader, consultant and coach-Laura is determined to improve the human condition. Laura’s belief that the answers to complex problems lie within and between us and meaningful connection is the vehicle for meaningful change, is what drew her to Led by TRUTH. As a Minneapolis resident, Laura is committed to supporting organizations that empower and enable the growth and development of individuals and support social justice.
Her broad range of healthcare leadership and advisory experience has enabled her to have a deeper understanding of the opportunity to improve the equity and effectiveness of the systems that aim to promote health. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, Laura brings a firm understanding of the connection between strategy, systems, and human behavior as well as a passion for building capable and inspired teams.
Melissa Gutierrez Nelson; We Sparkle Head of Community (she/her)
In her life and in her work, Melissa fiercely believes in the adage that “we all do better when we all do better.” Her work experience includes work in nonprofit management, community coordination for tech startups, and in wellness - with a particular focus in perinatal health.
As Head of Community for We Sparkle, a women and BIPOC-led tech company, she focuses on supporting underestimated entrepreneurs as they start and grow their businesses. She is inspired by the innovative spirits and loves to use her skills in communication, organization and collaboration to help them launch their ideas into the world. She is passionate about the mission of Led by Truth, and is honored to serve as a member of the board.
Melissa has been married to her husband for almost three decades, and they are the parents of three incredible adult children.
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